.DNA sequencing lays foundation for personalized cancer treatment

Summary: Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are using powerful DNA sequencing technology not only to identify mutations at the root of a patient's tumor – considered key to personalizing cancer treatment – but to map the genetic evolution of disease and monitor response to treatment.

Citric: Interesting

Impact: this will help cancer patients

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/04/01/dna_sequencing_lays_foundation_for_personalized_cancer_treatment.html

Organics Probably Formed Easily in Early Solar System

Reference:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330205815.htm

Summary:
Complex organic compounds, including many important to life on Earth, were readily produced under conditions that likely prevailed in the primordial solar system. Scientists at the University of Chicago and NASA Ames Research Center came to this conclusion after linking computer simulations to laboratory experiments.


Impact:
these organic compounds can be made from solar energy, which is easier to make from the sun.


Critique:
what are these complex organic compounds that are important to life on earth.

Transforming scar tissue into beating hearts: The next instalment

Summary: The latest research developments to reprogram scar tissue resulting from myocardial infarction (MI) into viable heart muscle cells, were presented at the Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology (FCVB) 2012 meeting, held 30 March to 1 April at the South Kensington Campus of Imperial College in London.

Critic: Interesting

Impact: this will help doctors

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/04/01/transforming_scar_tissue_into_beating_hearts_the_next_instalment_.html

Scientists Refine Earth's Clock

Reference:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120329141918.htm

Summary:
New research has revealed that some events in Earth's history happened more recently than previously thought. Scientists from the British Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, publishing recently in the journal Science, have refined the data used to determine how much time has passed since a mineral or rock was formed. They report uranium isotopic composition of minerals, used to date major geological events, which are more accurate than previously published. The major effect of this is to reduce previous age determinations by up to 700,000 years.


Critique:
what geological events have been shown through these mineral rocks?


Impact:
reduce previous age determinations

Declines in Caribbean Coral Reefs Pre-Date Damage Resulting from Climate Change

Declines in Caribbean Coral Reefs Pre-Date Damage Resulting from Climate Change

Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330123218.htm

Summary- The decline of Caribbean coral reefs has been linked to the recent effects of human induced climate change. Employing a novel excavation technique to reconstruct the timeline of historical change in coral reefs located on the Caribbean side of Panama. Coral reefs have suffered alarmingly since the 1980s due to coral bleaching and coral disease, thought to stem from the warming of the oceans due to anthropogenic, or human-induced, climate change. However, until recently, the impact of prior human activities on Caribbean coral reefs had not been studied with experimental techniques.
Critique- The decline of Caribbean coral Reefs has been linked to the recent effects of human induced climate change.

Impact- The impact of prior human activities on Caribbean coral reefs had not been studied with experimental techniques.

Carbon Dioxide Was Hidden in the Ocean During Last Ice Age

Carbon Dioxide Was Hidden in the Ocean During Last Ice Age

Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120329142020.htm

Summary- Around 20,000 years ago the atmospheric CO2 concentration during the last Ice Age was distinctly lower than in the following warm period. Measurements from Antarctic ice cores showed this already two decades ago. The climate researchers found that this close connection between carbon dioxide and temperature has existed over the past 800,000 years. With low CO2 concentration during the Ice Age a higher CO2 values during warm period.

Critique- The CO2 concentration during the last Ice Age was lower than in the following warm period. With low CO2 concentration during the Ice Age a higher CO2 values during warm period.

Impact- This shows that the CO2 concentration was lower during the last Ice Age and then was lower in the following warm period.

Discovery of foot fossil confirms 2 human ancestor species co-existed 3.4 million years ago

Summary:

Remember that one article i did about the dog fossil leading back alot of years ago? Well not only did they find that they also found a human that lived 3.4 million years ago. "Now i think ive heard it all. The Burtele partial foot clearly shows that at 3.4 million years ago, Lucy's species, which walked upright on two legs, was not the only hominin species living in this region of Ethiopia" said Yohanns.

Critque:

The more we find the more we learn!

Impact:

Nothing.

Transforming scar tissue into beating hearts

Summery:

Im so glad i had diiner before i read this! Docters now want to try and turn pieces of skin in the fully functioning beating hearts! I dont know about you but that sound slike a challenge! This also can be a potential game changer as well! "Our ultimate hope is that, during the acute period following MI, patients will be able to receive direct injections of factors that transform the existing fibroblast cells in the "scar" into new myocytes. The resulting increase in muscle mass should help MI survivors to live more normal lives" said Docter Srivastava.

Critque:

I think if they if they put ther mind to it they will suceed!

Impact:
There may not be any more heart tranplants!

More Trans Fat Consumption Linked to Greater Aggression, Researchers Find

Summary: On March 13, 2012, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have proven that in men and women of all ages and races, that consumption of dietary trans fatty acids (dTFAs) involves with irritability and aggression. The study was directed by Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, associate professor in the UC San Diego Department of Medicine, which was published online by PLoS ONE where they studied over 1,000 men and women that showed evidence of aggression and sensitivity. The researchers that fallowed Beatrice took known information on how dietary trans fatty acids are mostly products of hydrogenation, which makes unsaturated oils solid at room temperature that are present at high levels in margarines, shortenings and prepared foods. Some health effects of dTFAs have been seen in lipid levels, metabolic function, insulin resistance, oxidation, inflammation, and cardiac health. Taking the 1,000 people there, Beatrice and the researchers gave the men and women surveys on how dTFAs and related to their aggression and sensitivity from the past history of their aggression, alcohols taken, self assessments on negativity, and their education. This has caused the proven fact that dTFAs involve aggression, sensitivity, and irritability. Impact: Learning about this is very important. Knowing that fatty foods can cause heart attacks, obesity, and much more health problems, we can learn what foods are healthy for you and which ones aren’t healthy for you. The fact that fatty acids can cause you to have more negative feelings, can cause and persuade more people to eat healthier and stop world health problems. Critique: Personaly, I already have personal food problems from having a mom who is anorexic and wanting to stay healthy because heart attacks run in my family. Its weird to think that fatty acids cause anger and sensitivity when people sometimes eat because they are happy, depressed, or angry. Learning about this well believable fact though, can help people make better choices in the food they choose to eat. To me, this makes me think about the sayings, “if you eat too many carrots you’ll turn orange,” or, “if you don’t eat your colored greens you wont grow chest hair.” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120313122504.htm

Growing Up On A Farm Helps With Immunity?

Summary:

                Scientists say that if you’ve grown up on a farm, your immune system is stronger than others. It affects the regulation of the immune system and causes reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins. Spending early life in a complex farm environment increased the number of regulatory T-lymphocytes.

Critique:

                I can believe this because, I just about never get sick or have allergies and I’ve grown up around it all, animals, the barn, ranches, and farms.

Impact:

                Maybe pushing yourself to be around a complex environment like this will help you out in the long run of health.

Measles

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102161038.htm


Summary- Scientist find why measles spread so quickly. Even though you get the Measel vaccine, this virus still affects at least or even more than 10 million children each year and kills about 120,000 worldwide. Before y the spread of the virus has increased because people don't get vaccinated. The measles is still a big public health problem in the United States, and maybe different countries too.


Critique- This was a good blog, I learned a lot about shots and how you need to get them.


Impact- Need to get my shots.

Lyme Disease Surge Predicted for Northeastern US: Due to Acorns and Mice, Not Mild Winter

Reference:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120316094452.htm

Summmary: The northern U.S sould prepare for surge in Lyme Disease this spring. Blame the fluctations in acrons and the mice population. why do acrons have to do with Lyme Disease?Acorn crops are vary from year to year, with boom and bust cycles influencing the winter survival and breeding success of white-footed mice. In the spring these Borrelia burgdorferi infected black legged ticks in forests look for a blood meal. Instead of them looking for white footed mouse they are looking for something a little bit bigger and different called mammals such as us.

Critique: I really dont like ticks and not a fan but this is kind of creepy. Didnt know that mice and acorns lead to Lyme Disease.

Imapct: This could probably not help our society or anything else but make it worse and it could also warn people to be careful when they go hunting.

Pet Kidney Injuries Are Similar to Human Kidney Injuries

Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111219203951.htm
Summary: Using human blood doctors found out that they could help pet owners with their illness pets. When dogs are ill they and see an early risk of getting kidney injuries just as a human. Is a dog is hit by a car or attacked by a dog there is a good risk that the kidney is most likely to get hurt. The kidney are very susceptible a damage since 25 percent of the animals blood passes through the kidney to the heart.
Critique: I thought that animals had a different kind of kidney like that it was small than a humans but it was very interesting.
Impact: Could help more people with a pet that is ill or has a kidney problem and could transfer some things from the human to the dog.

Chocolate makes you skinny

Summary: a recent study may prove that chocolate raises your metabolism. The people who reported eating more chocolate had a lower BMI average than those who ate less. However, this doesn't mean we can just go eat bucketloads of chocolate. It is also proven people with higher weights sometimes leave out foods they eat in studies like this- and it's probably the bad stuff. Chocolate can raise your metabolism due to the caffeine, and actually it can prevent heart disease too. But it has at least 200 calories in one bar because of the sugar. Before we go buy out chocolate factories we need to do some more studying.

Critique: I pray it's true. Heck, I'm pretty skinny and I eat tons of chocolate. It sounds a little far-fetched though, if you know what I mean.

Impact: everyone will eat buckets of chocolate and be as skinny as 8th graders.

Reference:

Happiness Comes From Sadness?!

Summary: A new study shows that people enjoy watching sad movies because it makes them count their blessings. This is why Titanic and The Notebook are so famous. Apparently, if it doesn’t have a sad ending, it’s not a good movie. Here’s what they did in the study: They tested around 306 people using the movie “Atonement”. It’s about a couple who love each other. They are separated, they both die in the war, the end. (What kind of a story is that?!) They asked the people before and after the movie how they felt about their lives and, as you can guess, people thought their lives were better after watching the movie and worse before it. Impact: Well, my thought was a little bit crueler on mankind. I was under the impression that people got happy from watching other people be sad because they’re glad it’s not them. Then I read this article and realized that people just count their blessings. So, in a way, counting your blessings is similar to being glad it’s them and not you. Critique: Everyone is sad. Not all the time, but it’s an emotion that frankly we’re stuck with because it’s just impossible to get rid of. I am usually a happy person, so I try to steer myself away from movies like Titanic. Here’s my summary of it: A boat sinks and a couple is separated because the boy tells the girl to live without him. He dies, she lives without him in sadness, the end. Again, what kind of a story is that?! I never saw it, but it still makes me sad just thinking about it. And I am SO not happy about people dying – especially on a boat in a romantic atmosphere. Basically, this article caught my eye because it totally doesn’t seem true. People should think “Me see sad movie, me cry,” not “Me see sad movie, me think about life motives and family values and now suddenly everything seems better because I realize who I am and why I should have never strayed from the path of love itself.” Seriously guys, why so complicated? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326132533.htm

Popcorn Contains More Antioxidants Than Fruits and Vegetables: The New Super Snack

Summary: A research team from Pennsylvania's University of Scranton has found that popcorn has more antioxidants than other fruits and vegetables. The presenter of the findings, Joe Vinson, said that "popcorn may be the perfect snack food." Earlier research found polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in popcorn; however, in this study, scientists measured the exact amount of the polyphenols. They found that popcorn contains about twice as many polyphenols as fresh sweet corn or fruit per serving. Polyphenols are divided up to 90% in most fruits and veggies because of all the water, but popcorn only contains about 4% water. The study also proclaims popcorn is a whole grain. Vinson said "It's the only snack that is 100 percent unprocessed whole grain. One serving of popcorn will provide more than 70% of the daily intake of whole grain. The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn could fill that gap in a very pleasant way." Vinson says not to replace fruits and veg with popcorn because they have many other important nutrients. He also said to stick with plain, air-popped corn to be healthiest because all the butter you put on it is going to offset the nutritional benefits.

Critique: I LOVE popcorn and I've always thought popcorn to be a pretty healthy snack (as long as it's not smothered in salt or butter or flavorings or chocolate). It's really cool that just one serving will get you 70% of the recommended serving of whole grains. That's also important to me personally because I have to eat gluten-free so this would be a good way for me to get my whole grains. I think that it's really interesting that popcorn has that many antioxidants. As a side note this article made me really start craving popcorn...

Impact: Hopefully this will persuade people to eat popcorn more. This will help them get their whole grains and their antioxidants.

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/popcorn-contains-more-antioxidants-fruits-vegetables-super-snack-205100980.html

Biological tissue

Summary: Biological tissue is a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar function within an organism.
Critique: Suppose this includes skin? Duh
Impact: The human body is made up of biological tissue.

Peripheral nervous system

Summary: The peripheral nervous system is part of the nervous system, and consists of the nerves and neurons that reside or extend outside the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to serve the limbs and organs, for example.
Critique: Find the addition of nerves in limbs interesting.
Impact: Aids physical therapists in identifying physical pain.

How a Nuclear Bomb Could Save Earth From an Asteroid

Reference: http://news.yahoo.com/nuclear-bomb-could-save-earth-asteroid-153603758.html

Summary: Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a United States Department of Energy facility in New Mexico, used a supercomputer to model nukes'. They attacked a 1,650-foot-long space rock with a 1-megaton nuclear weapon. "Ultimately this 1-megaton blast will disrupt all of the rocks in the rockpile of this asteroid, and if this were an Earth-crossing asteroid, would fully mitigate the hazard represented by the initial asteroid itself," Los Alamos scientist Bob Weaver said.

Critique: I think it would be cool to be able to destroy an asteroid with a nuclear bomb.

Impact: this is a positive thing because we would be able to destroy an asteroid if we were in danger.

2 Small Asteroids Give Earth a Close Shave

Reference: http://news.yahoo.com/2-small-asteroids-earth-close-shave -171607683.html

Summary: Two tine asteroids zipped close by Earth, March 26, passing between our planet and the moon’s orbit. NASA scientist says that the two asteroids posed no treat of impacting our world. According to NASA’s Asteroid Watch, both space rocks flew by Earth in rapid fire. One zoomed by early in the day, the other at around 1:09 P.M. Both asteroids were less than 10 meters.

Critique: I think that this occurrence would be even better if we actually got to see the asteroids.

Impact: There is no impact on Earth, just as the scientist said.